There are lots of ways to get from Cambodia to Thailand, and it all depends on how much time, money, and patience you have. In this post, I’ll cover the best ways to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok in 2022 whether you travel by plane, direct bus, mini-bus, or taxi. Flying is always the most convenient, but going overland is less expensive and more of an adventure!
If you’re heading the other direction, how to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap.

The Giant Ibis direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap (and vice versa)

Direct buses from Siem Reap to Bangkok

The easiest way to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok is by direct bus, although it’s not the fastest. Direct means that you don’t have to change buses at the border or haul your luggage over the border — it stays on the bus while you get your visas. While many buses advertise themselves as direct buses, but they are not, and will require changing buses at the border.

Giant Ibis, a company with great reputation in Cambodia, is the best option  between Bangkok and Siem Reap.  The buses are new, the drivers are good, and the attendants are friendly and help you through the visa process at the border. Although the tickets are more expensive at $49, it is worth the price, and there are no booking fees. There is a $5 visa charge if you do not already have a visa, for “VIP” processing, which means you will not have to go through the Thailand visa hall at all.

I have taken this bus and felt completely safe leaving my baggage in the baggage compartment under the bus while I went through the visa process.  The Giant Ibis Siem Reap Bangkok direct bus leaves from Siem Reap at 7:45 a.m. and arrives around 4:15 p.m. Read our full review with photos of the Giant Ibis Bangkok bus.

You can book the Giant Ibis Siem Reap to Bangkok bus online and choose your seat in advance (the closer to the front the better, in my opinion). → Book now

Taking a taxi

Taxi is the most expensive overland option, and can cost approximately $200. If you book online you can choose between an SUV taxi or minivan that can take 4 or 7 passengers, respectively. → Book now

It’s possible to also book a taxi in Siem Reap to go to Poipet, and then get a second taxi at the border to go to Bangkok. This is a less expensive option, but is generally very stressful, particularly if you have substantial baggage. I’ve been left sitting at the border for hours trying to argue my way out of extortionate taxi prices, and frankly, it’s easier to just book in advance unless you enjoy that sort of argument (some do).

Indirect and mini-buses from Bangkok to Siem Reap

Travel Mart runs various sized buses from Bangkok to Siem Reap, from full size to vans.

There are buses and mini-bus services that go “direct,” meaning the same company will drop you off on the Cambodia side of the border and then meet you on the Thailand side of the border. You still need to haul your luggage through the border on foot, and often end up waiting for others on your bus who mysteriously take an hour to go through immigration. These services offer you no direction or hand-holding in getting through the border, but are substantially less expensive than than a true direct bus.

Travel Mart has a good reputation (I’ve taken them and had no complaints). They used to run direct buses but since the pandemic are doing a van to a minibus or express bus combo in cooperation with Virak Buntham, who have a not-quite-as-good reputation. Travel Mart offers night buses or day buses, which range in cost from $26 to $34.50. → Book now

Go Ho Travel are also running vans that require a change at the border for $30. I haven’t taken this bus so I can’t comment. → Book now

Flights from Siem Reap to Bangkok

AirAsia usually have the cheapest flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, but there are strings attached.

There are fewer flight than pre-pandemic, but Bangkok Airways and Air Asia are flying from Siem Reap to Bangkok in 2022.

Bangkok Airways offer one-way flights at around $100. They offer a 20kg baggage allowance, but if you sign up with their frequent flyer club they will automatically give you an extra 10kg. Another nice perk is that there’s an airline lounge for all passengers, not just those in business class. → Book now

Malaysia-based LCC Air Asia has daily flights between Siem Reap and Bangkok that are usually the cheapest option available. You can find one-way flights on this route for as little as $70 if you book in advance. Flights arrive at Bangkok’s DMK airport and you’ll pay extra for baggage. → Book now

Crossing the Thailand-Cambodia border.

Crossing the border

The Aranyaprathat/Poipet border is known for scams, delays, and confusion. I’ve got a whole blog post with what you need to know about crossing the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border, but here are some important things to know.

You do not need to change money into Thai baht. This is a scam and you will be given an outrageously bad exchange rate.

You do not need to pay any border crossing fees or get a Thai visa before you get to the border office. Do not accept help from anyone who says they can help you get a visa or cross a border. The exception is your bus company, who may offer VIP service, like Giant Ibis.

Know that Thai officials have been cracking down on those who appear to living illegally in Thailand. They only allow two land border entries per year, and there is a requirement for each person to be carrying 10,000 Thai baht, or the equivalent in another currency, per person. This is rarely enforced unless the border officials have some misgivings about you, but if you have multiple Thai visas it’s best to show be able to show that you have cash on hand, a hotel reservation, and plans to leave.

If you’re going the other way, check out my post on how to get from Bangkok to Siem Reap. 

Bus tickets purchased through links in this post may generate affiliate sales for us. This does not affect our reviews for specific bus companies or routes! For more about how we deal with advertising, affiliate sales, and stuff like that, you can read more here.